Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open campaign is now underway, having cruised past her first-round opponent despite a first-set rally.
She faced an unknown wildcard, Rakotomanga Rajaonah, representing a tough and unique challenge to kick things off.
After all, not only was her opponent young and driven, but her left-handedness only added to the awkwardness of this clash.
Aryna Sabalenka struggled to establish her superiority in the opening set, but once she claimed it by a 6-4 margin, the scoreline seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
She won 6-4, 6-1, and spoke directly to Roger Federer and Rod Laver in the crowd during her on-court interview.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning her Australian Open first-round match
Unsurprisingly, Sabalenka began by thanking the Australian Open crowd that has shown her so much support over the years: “Thank you for all the support, guys. I really enjoy playing in front of you.”
She then turned her attention to Rajaonah, praising her performance: “I think, I didn’t start my best, but she yeah, she showed up, fired on, and she was playing great, and it was a tricky start, and I’m super happy that I found my rhythm at that very end of the first set, and and then I felt a bit more confident.
What do you think of Aryna Sabalenka’s draw?
“But yeah, I didn’t know much about her. Of course, I watched her previous games, but, yeah, it’s always tricky to play against someone young, someone that you don’t really know yet and also a lefty. That was a tricky start for me, but I’m super happy I was able to close this match in straight sets.”
Asked about how it felt to be watched by Federer and Laver, Sabalenka’s response drew a huge laugh from the Rod Laver crowd, as she claimed: “Um, I’m a huge fan, guys. Can I take a picture with you, please?
“I got a little bit tight. I wanted to show great tennis so you guys enjoy watching me play. But, um, oh, my God, what a privilege. Thank you so much. I really hope you guys enjoyed at least a little bit.
“Yeah, that was definitely a lot of pressure.
“I was like, the whole match, I was, like, walking thinking, don’t watch, don’t look there, don’t look there.”
She concluded by speaking about the prospect of making a fourth-straight final in Melbourne, again turning to Federer to ask: “Did you do it?”
Sabalenka concluded: “You just love to throw the pressure on me, right?
“Yeah, you know, I’m trying to focus on myself, and if I’ll be able to do that, it’s gonna mean a lot to me, but I’m just trying to, you know, take it one step at a time, and I’m trying to bring my best.
“Every time I’m competing here in front of you all, I just want to enjoy.”
Sabalenka named two areas of her game that she had been working on ahaed of the Australian Open just last week. It’s fair to say that every area of her game was firing today.
Aryna Sabalenka lays down a marker with ruthless Australian Open start
Sabalenka may not have been at her brilliant best in the first set, but by the end, she seemed to have returned to the ruthless state that has seen her reach three straight finals here in Melbourne.
She broke early and continued to pile on the pressure, methodically breaking down the youngster in what was just her second ever Grand Slam main draw match.
Aryna Sabalenka will NOT end the year as world number one – prove us wrong!
It may not have been vintage throughout, but the way in which the world number one grew into the match will have laid down a marker for the rest of the tournament.
And, what’s even more frightening is that she will only get better.
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